What is the difference between ACITRETIN and Tofacitinib?

ACITRETIN is a Retinoid and Tofacitinib is a JAK Inhibitor. They reach a similar treatment goal through different pharmacological mechanisms, which is why one may be tolerated by a patient who could not tolerate the other.

Is ACITRETIN the same as Xeljanz?

No. ACITRETIN (ACITRETIN) and Xeljanz (Tofacitinib) are distinct medications. They are sometimes confused because of similar branding or because they treat overlapping conditions, but they have different active ingredients and different safety profiles.

Which has fewer side effects, ACITRETIN or Tofacitinib?

Side-effect frequency varies by individual. The side-effect comparison section on this page shows FAERS-reported events for each drug side by side. FAERS is voluntary reporting, so it reflects what patients and clinicians chose to report, not absolute population risk.

Can I switch from ACITRETIN to Tofacitinib?

Switching medications should always be done under prescriber supervision. The "patient stories" section on this page includes accounts from people who have made the switch and what their transition felt like, but those are individual experiences, not protocols.

ACITRETIN vs Tofacitinib

Compare ACITRETIN (ACITRETIN) and Tofacitinib (Xeljanz) — clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

ACITRETIN

ACITRETIN · Retinoid

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Acitretin Capsules

USP are indicated for the treatment of severe psoriasis in adults. Because of significant adverse effects associated with its use

Acitretin Capsules

USP should be prescribed only by those knowledgeable in the systemic use of retinoids. In females of reproductive potential

OralTablet

Tofacitinib

Xeljanz · JAK Inhibitor

How it works

Inhibits Janus kinases JAK1 and JAK3, modulating the signalling of interleukins and interferons involved in immune and inflammatory pathways.

Approved for

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis

Ulcerative Colitis

FDA: 2012OralTablet, Extended-release tablet

Quick Comparison

ACITRETINTofacitinib

Drug Class

Retinoid

JAK Inhibitor

Route

Oral

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

—

2012

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

ACITRETIN

Drug Not Working

>10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Itching

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Headache

0.1-1%

Fever

0.1-1%

General Unwellness

0.1-1%

Diarrhea

0.1-1%

Tofacitinib

Drug Not Working

>10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Condition Worsened

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Rash

0.1-1%

General Unwellness

0.1-1%

Limb Pain

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

ACITRETIN

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND WARNINGS: Pregnancy Acitretin must not be used by females who are pregnant, or who intend to become pregnant during therapy or at any time for at least 3 years following discontinuation of therapy
Acitretin should be prescribed only by those who have special competence in the diagnosis and treatment of severe psoriasis, are experienced in the use of systemic retinoids, and understand the risk of teratogenicity
, P regnancy P revention is E ssential with T reatment, has been developed to educate women of childbearing potential and their healthcare providers about the serious risks associated with acitretin and to help prevent pregnancies from occurring with the use of this drug and for 3 years after its discontinuation
Acitretin is contraindicated in females of reproductive potential unless the patient meets ALL of the following conditions : Must have had 2 negative urine or serum pregnancy tests with a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU per mL before receiving the initial prescription for acitretin

Tofacitinib

Black Box: Serious infections, mortality, malignancy, MACE, thrombosis
Lymphoma risk

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for ACITRETIN vs Tofacitinib.

ACITRETIN vs Tofacitinib: What You Should Know

Key Differences

ACITRETIN is a Retinoid, while Tofacitinib belongs to the JAK Inhibitor class. This means they work through different pharmacological mechanisms, which may influence both efficacy and side effect profiles.

Safety Considerations

ACITRETIN carries 4 FDA warnings. Tofacitinib carries 2 FDA warnings. Patients should discuss all warnings and contraindications with their healthcare provider before starting or switching medications..

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Related Comparisons

ACITRETIN vs ISOTRETINOIN→ACITRETIN vs ALITRETINOIN→ACITRETIN vs TRETINOIN→ACITRETIN vs CLINDAMYCIN PHOSPHATE AND TRETINOIN GEL 1.2%→ACITRETIN vs TRETINOIN AND BENZOYL PEROXIDE→ACITRETIN vs CLINDAMYCIN PHOSPHATE AND TRETINOIN→

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

ACITRETIN: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
Tofacitinib: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov

Loading comparison data...

ACITRETIN vs Tofacitinib

Compare ACITRETIN (ACITRETIN) and Tofacitinib (Xeljanz) — clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

ACITRETIN

ACITRETIN · Retinoid

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Acitretin Capsules

USP are indicated for the treatment of severe psoriasis in adults. Because of significant adverse effects associated with its use

Acitretin Capsules

USP should be prescribed only by those knowledgeable in the systemic use of retinoids. In females of reproductive potential

OralTablet

Tofacitinib

Xeljanz · JAK Inhibitor

How it works

Inhibits Janus kinases JAK1 and JAK3, modulating the signalling of interleukins and interferons involved in immune and inflammatory pathways.

Approved for

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis

Ulcerative Colitis

FDA: 2012OralTablet, Extended-release tablet

Quick Comparison

ACITRETINTofacitinib

Drug Class

Retinoid

JAK Inhibitor

Route

Oral

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

—

2012

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

ACITRETIN

Drug Not Working

>10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Itching

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Headache

0.1-1%

Fever

0.1-1%

General Unwellness

0.1-1%

Diarrhea

0.1-1%

Tofacitinib

Drug Not Working

>10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Condition Worsened

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Rash

0.1-1%

General Unwellness

0.1-1%

Limb Pain

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

ACITRETIN

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND WARNINGS: Pregnancy Acitretin must not be used by females who are pregnant, or who intend to become pregnant during therapy or at any time for at least 3 years following discontinuation of therapy
Acitretin should be prescribed only by those who have special competence in the diagnosis and treatment of severe psoriasis, are experienced in the use of systemic retinoids, and understand the risk of teratogenicity
, P regnancy P revention is E ssential with T reatment, has been developed to educate women of childbearing potential and their healthcare providers about the serious risks associated with acitretin and to help prevent pregnancies from occurring with the use of this drug and for 3 years after its discontinuation
Acitretin is contraindicated in females of reproductive potential unless the patient meets ALL of the following conditions : Must have had 2 negative urine or serum pregnancy tests with a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU per mL before receiving the initial prescription for acitretin

Tofacitinib

Black Box: Serious infections, mortality, malignancy, MACE, thrombosis
Lymphoma risk

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for ACITRETIN vs Tofacitinib.

ACITRETIN vs Tofacitinib: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Safety Considerations

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.